Comparison and Contrast / 83Clothing the Soldiers
During the American Revolution, the American and British soldiers wore different kinds of
uniforms. Most American soldiers, straight from their homes and fields, wore what they had:
hand-stitched jackets, homespun shirts, leather suspenders, drop-front pants, and homemade
shoes. Their hats were as varied as the hat makers. They made do with their lack of similar
dress, understanding that rank had its privileges, but making no effort to document it with
stripes or stars or bars. They presented a motley group. Unwittingly, however, they wore what,
by comparison, was nearly camouflage. On the other hand, the British soldiers were attired in
the smart English uniform: red coats, white pants, knee-high black boots, and cocky hats. Their
commanders’ uniforms marked their prestige. In the fighting field, however, which was home to
the American farmers and hunters, the British found their white pants dirty, their boots muddy,
and hats knocked askew. What is more, the red and white gleamed like a beacon in any forest
or meadow, making amazingly easy-to-spot targets. In fact, the two white belts that crossed
their chests made perfect targets. One could debate whether the war was won or lost because
of the soldier’s clothing.ANALYSIS of THE SAMPLE foR SoCIAL SCIENCES
The social sciences sample provides an interesting comparison with the sample for
English find online at [http://www.wiley.com/go/wnwstudentwritinghandbook] in several
respects. Study the two and note the following:
-^ The topic sentence, the first sentence in the paragraph, clarifies the subject and
the purpose.
-^ The general organization is whole by whole. First the reader learns about the
American soldiers’ dress and then about the British soldiers’.
-^ Transitions move the reader in an orderly fashion from one topic to the next, an
entire sentence providing the transition from the American soldier to the British.
-^ The order is consistent throughout the paragraph. The topic sentence mentions
first the American soldier’s clothing, which is discussed first in the paragraph.
And because jackets are mentioned first for the American soldier, they are
likewise mentioned first for the British soldier. Finally, the order remains as
the writer refers to red and white as opposed to white and red.
-^ Sentences vary both in length and structure.
-^ Active voice adds emphasis. [See active voice in the Glossary.]
-^ The conclusion emphasizes the differences and leads to speculation.